Comstock Act of 1873

The Comstock Act of 1873 is a series of provisions in federal law, currently still in effect and enforced, that generally criminalize the conveying of obscene matter through the post office or common carriers. It also covers crime-inciting matter, or certain abortion-related matter. The Comstock Act is largely codified across title 18 of the United States Code and was enacted beginning in 1872 with the attachment of a rider to the Post Office Consolidation Act of 1872. It was amended multiple times since initial enactment, most recently in 1996. The law is loosely attributed to U.S. Postal Inspector and anti-vice activist Anthony Comstock (1844-1915).

The law was applied broadly for much of its history, but more recently the scope of enforcement narrowed because of various court rulings. Today enforcement is primarily focused on prosecuting child pornography (with the most recent conviction under the Act being made in 2021).